Former Cwmbran hotel could make way for residential housing

A FORMER hotel could be knocked down to make way for residential flats for people with autism and learning difficulties, planning documents reveal.

Somerton House on Llantarnam Road, Cwmbran, was previously used as a hotel and latterly was turned into a house in multiple occupation comprising 15 flats.

Developers Green Hill Construction Ltd have lodged an application to replace the former hotel with a new three-storey building for people with disabilities and older residents.

In April this year, the Argus reported that Green Hill Construction was due to go into administration.

The company has now fallen into administration but new planning agents have been appointed on behalf of Green Hill Construction to progress the application, Torfaen council said in a planning report.

Torfaen planning department has recommended that the new development be approved and councillors are to make a decision at Pontypool Civic Centre on Tuesday [July 15].

The new development would comprise four flats for people with autism, four for people with learning difficulties, another four for disabled residents and four for residents aged 55 and over who have care requirements.

The development would also comprise 16 parking spaces including four disabled bays.

A few residents voiced concerns about the potential scale and appearance of the development when Torfaen council consulted the public on the plans.

However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting.

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In addition, the building would feature bay windows and red brick materials similar to those used on nearby dwellings making it appropriate for the site, the report explains.

The granting of the application would also be subject to a section 106 agreement meaning the developer would make a financial contribution for potential recreational facilities in the area.

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Comments (8)

"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. " So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can? The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?

"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. "
So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can?
The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?davidcp

"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. " So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can? The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?

Score: -1

whatintheworld says...1:46pm Sun 13 Jul 14

davidcp wrote…

"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. " So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can? The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?

more likely to be that the trees will block some of the noise from the faster, louder traffic. why would not being able to see the building help anyone?

[quote][p][bold]davidcp[/bold] wrote:
"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. "
So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can?
The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?[/p][/quote]more likely to be that the trees will block some of the noise from the faster, louder traffic.
why would not being able to see the building help anyone?whatintheworld

davidcp wrote…

"However, the planning report states that the facility would be partially screened from the nearby dual carriageway by new planting. " So people driving by 1/4 a mile away at 70mph with their eyes on the road ahead won't see it but people living there or driving straight past it (and stopping at the lights) can? The logic of this argument escapes me, TCBC. Or do you mean that it'll have trees on site which hide it from all views, which may in turn actually benefit the residents both inside and outside of the building?

more likely to be that the trees will block some of the noise from the faster, louder traffic. why would not being able to see the building help anyone?

Score: 2

davidcp says...5:05pm Sun 13 Jul 14

Hadn't thought of the noise, although I suspect it's negligible. But it might be an ugly build!

Hadn't thought of the noise, although I suspect it's negligible.
But it might be an ugly build!davidcp

Hadn't thought of the noise, although I suspect it's negligible. But it might be an ugly build!

Score: -3

Robodad says...8:37pm Sun 13 Jul 14

Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate? By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.

Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate?
By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.Robodad

Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate? By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.

Score: 6

Jack Land says...9:04pm Sun 13 Jul 14

Robodad, trees can and DO play a part in 'blocking out sound' as you called it, because they deflect the sound upwards and consequently away from ears at ground / first floor level. In the same way that fences also deflect sound upwards.

Robodad, trees can and DO play a part in 'blocking out sound' as you called it, because they deflect the sound upwards and consequently away from ears at ground / first floor level. In the same way that fences also deflect sound upwards.Jack Land

Robodad, trees can and DO play a part in 'blocking out sound' as you called it, because they deflect the sound upwards and consequently away from ears at ground / first floor level. In the same way that fences also deflect sound upwards.

Score: 4

bobjones2011 says...9:43am Mon 14 Jul 14

Thought "Green Hill Construction" had gone bust? Or was that "Greenhill Construction" and are we now seeing a "different" company?

Thought "Green Hill Construction" had gone bust? Or was that "Greenhill Construction" and are we now seeing a "different" company?bobjones2011

Thought "Green Hill Construction" had gone bust? Or was that "Greenhill Construction" and are we now seeing a "different" company?

Score: 2

whatintheworld says...9:47pm Mon 14 Jul 14

Robodad wrote…

Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate? By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.

believe it or not, they do http://www.forestry. gov.uk/fr/INFD-8AEFL 5

[quote][p][bold]Robodad[/bold] wrote:
Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate?
By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.[/p][/quote]believe it or not, they do
http://www.forestry.
gov.uk/fr/INFD-8AEFL
5whatintheworld

Robodad wrote…

Another cracking report from the local rag with it's finger on the pulse..."A former hotel could be knocked down..." Somerton House was demolished months ago. Well done Argus, can we take anything you print as accurate? By the way whatintheworld, trees do not block out sound, they mask the view which often makes the problem seem better but noise is a movement of air so if the air can get between the trees so can the noise.

believe it or not, they do http://www.forestry. gov.uk/fr/INFD-8AEFL 5

Score: 1

CapnCrazylegs says...12:07pm Tue 15 Jul 14

It was SCUMerton House Hostel at the end and it was filthy receiving several Environmental Health visits to spray for various infestations. I smile that its gone when I drive by now - it was 4 months of hell for me. At least something positive and productive is planned.

It was SCUMerton House Hostel at the end and it was filthy receiving several Environmental Health visits to spray for various infestations.
I smile that its gone when I drive by now - it was 4 months of hell for me. At least something positive and productive is planned.CapnCrazylegs

It was SCUMerton House Hostel at the end and it was filthy receiving several Environmental Health visits to spray for various infestations. I smile that its gone when I drive by now - it was 4 months of hell for me. At least something positive and productive is planned.

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